Credit Reports Galore

jomay7 asked:


When I looked at my free credit report online I paid to get my credit score. It was around 850. That seemed really high to me. Do they give the consumer the same credit score they give to banks or creditors. They did not call it a fico score.

DUSTY

LoVeSSSiTTT asked:


Here’s the deal. I’m applying for the apartment. I was ready to move in Saturday morning.. and then I get a call from the landlord and he tells me that my SSN comes up with a bunch of different names.

He gave me a copy of the documents he had. It’s a report showing, what looks like, just one person. His name is Juan… and he’s lived a bunch of different places.

I called the social security office and they said nothing but my name comes up. All employment history is mine… and anything else.. confirms as me.

However, on the report he copied for me…says the guy who has my SSN has worked numerous places!!!

I went to the police station.. and they, too, say there should be no problem.

I got my free credit report online… and they all come up as my name.. EXCEPT.. Experian has my name under my sister’s name.

So, everyone I was supposed to report this to …say I have no problems. To everyone that matters… there’s definitely a problem.

What would I do??? How can I fix this… and fast?? I’m trying to moooooooove!! Thanks, much appreciated!
I believe it’s experian.. (the service they went through). But there is no mistake on their part. I showed the landlord a letter from SS.. and he still needed to print out his report.

KIRK

Mike Clover asked:


You cannot erase the past credit report issues for usually 7-10 years. With a little work you can rebuild your credit report before all negative information is set to expire. Here is five easy steps to rebuild your credit report.

Step 1: Examine the Damage

The first step in fixing past mistakes is to get a current coy of your free credit score report. Don’t be scared, got ahead and take the plunge order all three credit reports with all 3 credit scores. Ordering your credit report is actually easy and secure on-line. Contrary to popular belief ordering your own credit report does not affect your credit score.

Once you have pulled your report print it out and highlight all information that is incorrect. Make sure you understand everything on it.

Step 2: Check the expiration dates

The current law states that negative information will stay on your credit report for 7-10 years from collection date. The expiration date will vary depending on the type of collection. When you pay off a collection that does not mean it will be removed from your report.

Examine your report and determine when each collection is set to expire. Once these collections are set to expire you will see major improvement to your score.

Step 3: Dispute errors

If you find inaccurate information such as, fraudulent information, collections that expired still reporting, you have the right to dispute. You will have to dispute each of the 3 credit bureaus separately, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.Once you the bureaus have received your dispute they have 30 days to determine whether they will update information requested.

Don’t dispute good credit on your report, accurate information cannot be removed from your credit report and is a waste of time. Disputing accurate information could harm your credit.

Step 4: Add positive credit

Now that you have disputed information that is not correct and have hopefully got it removed or update you can begin to add positive credit to your report. The quickest way to do this is to get a Orchard bank secured credit card. This credit card is designed to rebuild credit even for people that just got out of a bankruptcy. Make sure you use this card responsibly. Also avoid going applying for to lots of credit, you really need a couple of secured credit cards to start establishing good credit.

Step 5: Monitor your progress

It is very simple to monitor your progress of increasing your creditworthiness these days with credit report monitoring services. You can sign up for credit reporting monitoring services that will allow you to monitor your credit score, get key changes e-mailed to you, along with access to your credit report. Your credit score will improve over time as you add positive information to your report.



AUGUSTINE

Trevor Mulholland asked:


Getting an annual credit report has been likened to getting an annual physical check-up. Some people may view it as something that can be put off for later. It may have been an annoying inconvenience in the years past, but today’s Internet technology has facilitated the process. It is as important to an individual’s fiscal health as a physical exam is important to his or her physical health. Also, as in a physical exam, getting a credit report can help prevent bad things from happening (financially speaking) and if financial problems already exist, viewing your credit report can prevent things from worsening.

During the past years, an individual would have had to fork over $9 to get a copy of his or her credit report. Today, however, consumers are entitled to get a free copy of their annual credit report, thanks to a law passed by the United States Congress in 2003: the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA). Under this law, American citizens can avail of a copy of their credit report every twelve months, gratis. All they have to do is log on to Annual Credit Report, a web site made possible through the cooperation of the top three U.S. credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. It is also possible to request individual credit reports from these three agencies.

However, keep in mind that the content of credit reports from these agencies may differ. For instance, a person’s TransUnion and Equifax credit report may contain information about court accounts and late payments, while his or her Experian report may reveal other information. All these pieces of information are vital to a person’s fiscal health. Why is this so? Many people might not realize it, but there are entities that use their credit report for reasons that affect their everyday lives.

For instance, if you are applying for a mortgage, or if you want to re-mortgage your property, you can be assured that your credit report is one of the things that your potential creditor will consider. This information is also pertinent when it comes to things such as your automobile insurance, home insurance, and loans. It all boils down to a concept called creditworthiness. Are you credit-worthy enough for financial institutions to lend you money or underwrite your potential debt? Your credit report is one of the main factors in helping financial institutions decide this, so it is worth your time and effort to make sure that your credit report is in order; or if it is not, to take the necessary steps towards credit repair.

Because even if you are certain of all your financial dealings, you might be surprised to find inaccurate information in your annual credit report. Although such occurrences are not that frequent, they can happen nevertheless. Sometimes payments you have made or debts you have cancelled may not be reflected in your credit report, and this will negatively affect loans or other financial dealings for which you are applying. Did you know that interests on your car loan or mortgage can be affected by negative information in your credit statistics? This is one major reason why you should have the most updated copy of your credit report - any such inaccuracies will be noticed and you can take the necessary steps to correct these mistakes as early as possible.

Your credit report is another exceptional indicator of whether you’ve been a victim of identity theft. Think about it: you may have given personal information such as your Social Security number to an e-mail asking for that information or to a web site requiring that you give that sort of data first before being allowed to proceed with the site’s other services. The fact is, an unauthorized person who has your Social Security number and other personal information can get loans or credit cards under your name. Fraudsters who do this usually go on a spending spree, racking up debts with you as the debtor. Meanwhile, you go about on your daily business, innocent of the fact that your credit reputation is being ruined (for, because you don’t know about your alleged “debts,” you don’t take steps to pay them).

Then the time comes when you need financial services of your own: a mortgage refinancing or the renewal of your car insurance, and it’s only then that you see from your credit report that you’ve been a victim of identity theft. Although such situations are remediable, they can take a lot of time and hard work, not to mention the additional payments needed for credit repair purposes.

Getting an annual credit report, therefore, is essential to helping ensure one’s financial well-being. It can help you fix inaccurate credit data as early as possible to your advantage. And best of all, this credit repair tool is free!



ROYAL

Monique asked:


i havent used credit at all. i just turned 18 but my mom has used my social to get credit cards. put my name under phones bills and everything. i try to get it online but it says i need a major credit card. then i try to get a major credit card and i always get declined cause my credit is so bad i suppose . what should i do to get it mailed?

OSVALDO

Sweebie Sunshine asked:


I had a few credit cards and shopping cards that I ended up not being able to make the payments on for a few months and I guess it pretty much destroyed my credit. I ended up paying everything off about a month ago, except for 2 (which I paid down) and now I’m looking at my credit report online and my credit score is horrible. I don’t get why because I have had good things — I had an auto loan and a personal loan, both that got paid off and all the payments were made on time. So how long is it going to take for my credit to get better?

MAJOR

Kathleen Chester asked:


 

Planning to get a house loan or buy some big-ticket item for home? For all these you will require your credit report. A credit report includes all the relevant information regarding where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. Whether you apply for a job or insurance, they refer to your credit card status to evaluate your applications.

If you do not have a credit report then you must order for one now. A credit card report will make your life much simpler and comfortable. It provides financial security and ability to afford things you like.

You can get your free credit report from the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). It requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies which includes Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

Why is getting a credit report important? The information provided in a credit report is sold by credit agencies to organizations that are evaluating whether to offer credit to individuals or companies. In certain cases, in the United States, insurance, housing, and employment can also be denied based on a negative credit rating.

You can get your free credit report ordered online. Here is some of the important information that you may require to provide in order to get a free credit report from the agencies:

· You need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. This is to maintain your individual identity.

· If you have changed your place of stay in the last two years then you may have to provide your previous address along with your present one.

· In order to maintain the security of your file, each nationwide consumer reporting company may ask you for some information that only you would know for example, the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.

· You may be asked for different information by each of the companies because the information each has in your file may come from unlike sources.

Whether you order your free credit report online, by phone, or by mail, it may take longer time than usual to receive your report. It is so because the nationwide consumer reporting company needs more information to confirm your identity.

So, what are you waiting for? Make your financial life more stable and secure. If you still do not have a credit report then order for your free credit report today.



HARRIS

Carl Smith asked:


Credit Reports - What’s On Them, and How to Check Yours

Businesses in the United States buy more than two billion credit reports every year. Since there are currently fewer than 300 million people in the country, this means that the average adult has his or her credit reports examined by someone about once every other month. And yet, only a small percentage of Americans have ever laid eyes on their own credit reports. Viewing your credit reports at least twice a year is a necessity in today’s electronic age, and while it may not always be free, getting access to your credit reports is much easier and less expensive than it has been at almost any time in history.



What is a Credit Report?

There are three major credit bureaus in the United States. They are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These three companies are competitors, and therefore they don’t share information with one another. As a result, your Equifax credit report may be significantly different from your Experian credit report, and your TransUnion report may be different still. Sometimes this is a good thing - if only one of the credit agencies reports a bad history, for example. But more often than not, it’s a headache, since at least one of your credit reports is bound to have some incorrect, negative information on it.

What’s On Your Credit Report?



Although each of the three credit agencies record slightly different information, the following is a basic list of what you’ll find on each of your credit reports: Your name and your spouse’s name. Where you live, where you work, and where you used to live (and used to work). Your social security number, phone number, and birth date. A list of your credit accounts and when you’ve paid your bills - on time, late, late by more than 30 days, late by more than 60 days, etc. How much total credit you have available. Whether and to whom you’ve made an application for credit in the past six months. Which companies have requested and obtained your credit report. And finally, dreaded “public records” - bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions, court judgments, convictions, and tax liens.

How Long Does Information Stay On Your Credit Report?

Positive information stays on your credit report indefinitely, which is a good thing. Most negative information should be deleted after seven years, with the exception of certain types of bankruptcy, which can stay on your report for ten years. If one of your credit reports is missing positive information or contains negative information that’s older than seven years, contact the appropriate credit bureau.



LAZARO

Lady_J asked:


applying tomorrow for a car loan. I just got my credit report online but not the score, I’ve only had credit for 3 years but do have 8 credit cards (4 are paid off, only one is maxed out, the rest are about half way to limit) There seemed to be no negative things on the report except a sprint bill from 2 years ago that i havent paid that is almost 400 bucks? Is that going to kill my score? I want a 5000 jeep Ive been looking at but I hear its harder to get a few grand than someting more expensive! what do u think?
well i was stupid and it wasnt mine it was cosigned for a friend…of course i was paid for a month and then just got the run around…i know, i know, its my own fault

KENNY

Gene Pimentel asked:


So many people are worried about identity theft and the status of their credit report these days. But with so many companies claiming to offer you a free report, it is no wonder consumers are confused and overwhelmed about how to get the information they need. The truth is many companies are not entirely interested in giving you a free credit report, as they are in making money off of you with their other products and services. How does a consumer know where to turn for the information they need?

The Federal Trade Commission is Your Friend

The Federal Trade Commission, a Federal agency set up to protect consumers, is the only place online that offers a truly free credit report through Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can receive reports on your credit every 12 months with no strings attached. Consumers often times are not even aware that they are entitled to review reports on their credit at least once a year, much less get it from a government agency.

Pitfalls to Getting Your Credit Report

Other companies will entice you to their website by stating you will receive a free credit report. Once at the website, you will often times find that you have to buy other products or services before your report will be issued to you. That’s great, if you are interested in the other products and services, but most times consumers just want to see their credit records only.

You may see ads on television or the Internet, or hear ads on the radio from companies offering free credit reports. Be alert to the fact that when you visit the website you might be obligated to buy additional products or services before receiving a report on your credit status. The FTC receives many complaints from consumers who have fallen into this credit report trap. In fact, they encourage you to report any spam websites that you come across.

How to Get Your Free Credit Report

The FTC advises consumers that you cannot get your free credit report directly through Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. You must contact these companies directly through the FTC website. Simply type in “annual credit report” and look for the official website in your search engine. There are many websites that will have a similar name to this one, so be sure you are on the correct website by typing your search carefully. The site will guide you through the appropriate steps to receive a free report on your credit status.

Consumers typically type in search phrases such as “free credit score,” “free credit history,” and other similar phrases only to land in a website that wants to sell you something you don’t need. Avoid using these searches in the future to avoid spam websites.

You can get your annual report on your credit status for free. You can keep a watchful eye on your credit history in these days of high identity theft rates. You just have to know where to go to get the information you need.



WILLIAMS